11:01 23.10.2012

Russia, Iran express concern about continuing violence in Syria

2 min read

The world community must consolidate efforts if the crisis in Syria is to be settled, the parties stated during Kremlin special envoy for the Middle East, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov's talks in Tehran.

"A committed discussion was held on the current international and regional agendas with an accent on the situation in the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf zone, with special emphasis on the situation in Syria. The parties expressed serious concern about the continuing violence in Syria - the cause of growing civilian casualties, an increasing population of refugees and displaced persons, further deterioration of the humanitarian situation and the destruction of the Syrian infrastructure and economy," the Russian Foreign Ministry said on its Web site on Monday.

"Reaffirming Russia and Iran's support for UN/LAS special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi's proposal to declare a truce in Syria ahead of the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice, the parties said that the world community should consolidate efforts in the interest of the earliest possible settlement of the Syrian crisis based on respect for Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, in compliance with the consensus-based Geneva communique, negotiated by the Action Group, and in line with the basic approaches of the Non-Aligned Movement which envision a ceasefire and the beginning of a pan-Syrian political dialogue, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Bogdanov, who is now in Tehran on a working visit, was received by Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, earlier reports said. He also held consultations with Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian.

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